ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Another piece of the Bernalillo County drug and gun network is off the streets. Benjamin Marquez, 46, of Albuquerque, received a 60-month federal prison sentence today, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking operation. The conviction is the latest fallout from a massive, multi-agency investigation spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that began in August 2016.
The ATF probe, dubbed a targeted anti-violence initiative, initially resulted in 59 federal indictments and a criminal complaint against a staggering 103 residents of Bernalillo County. The goal: to slam “the worst of the worst” with federal charges, leveraging prior convictions to maximize prison time and keep repeat offenders away from New Mexico communities. To date, 85 defendants have been convicted, with 65 already sentenced – a clear signal the feds are serious about cleaning up the streets.
Marquez and his co-defendant, Richard Lucero, 38, were busted in August 2016 following a five-count indictment alleging drug trafficking offenses. The charges detailed a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine between May 6, 2016, and June 1, 2016, alongside specific counts of methamphetamine distribution on May 6, May 18, and June 1, 2016. Marquez was also individually charged with distributing heroin on May 5, 2016. The feds weren’t messing around.
On May 1, 2017, Marquez threw in the towel, pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine. He admitted to selling approximately 60 grams of the drug to an undercover law enforcement agent on June 1, 2016. Lucero also pled guilty, entering his plea on January 5, 2017, and receiving a 41-month prison sentence plus three years of supervised release on August 10, 2017. While Lucero got a lighter sentence, both men are now paying the price for their choices.
Despite the convictions, the investigation isn’t entirely closed. Fifteen defendants still maintain their innocence and have entered not guilty pleas. Two cases have been dismissed. As with all criminal proceedings, these defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, working with state and local agencies, continues to pursue justice in these matters.
The investigation was conducted by the Albuquerque office of the ATF, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Eva Fontanez handling the prosecution. This case underscores the ongoing federal effort to dismantle drug trafficking networks and address violent crime in New Mexico, one dealer – and one sentence – at a time. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and other federal investigations in the region.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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